Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
October 13, 2023 - 1:38 PM
Penticton dog owners want better dog parks it looks like they'll be getting their wish.
Penticton city staff have proposed a $200,000 plan to improve off-leash dog parks, including a pilot program for off-leash optional areas, according to a media release. City council will be voting on the dog park proposal on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
“There is a clear desire from dog owners for improved and expanded access to city parks,” Penticton's director of public work Len Robson said in the release. “The proposals put forward are designed to make an initial change in the quality of existing dog parks and also allow us to test off-leash practices as we develop a longer term strategy.”
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The upgrades for existing parks will include higher maintenance standards, weekly inspections, litter clean-up, improved signage, self-closing gates, easier accessibility, better vegetation control and an increased bylaw officer presence.
The plan also includes an obstacle course for dogs at Ellis Creek dog park and a reactive dog area at Dartmouth park.
The off-leash optional areas would be a trial to see if the public likes them. The city is considering several locations including: Riverside Park, Okanagan Park, Skaha Lake Park and the Water Treatment Plant entrance.
“We’ve picked areas that are located largely in existing parks and can be found throughout the community,” Robson said.
There would be additional rules regarding off-leash optional areas such as having dogs under verbal control at all times, no more than two dogs per person, no aggressive dogs and up to date dog tags.
The city has developed this plan with recommendations from a local community group People for Penticton Pets.
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